Professor in Biomedical Biotechnology

Location: Incheon, South Korea

Last application date: September 30, 2025

Anticipated starting date: February 1, 2026

Vacancy: A full-time tenured professor (combination of a full appointment at GUGC with 10% professorship at Ghent University). Discipline: Neuro Science (Neuroinflammation and/or Neuroimmunology). Affiliation: at GUGC: Biomedical Research Center (Dept. KR01), at UGent: Faculty of Sciences (Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, WE14).

Contract: Full-time, tenure-track position with an initial performance evaluation at the end of the third year and a comprehensive tenure review at the end of the fifth year. The professorial rank will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Degree: Ph.D. degree in the domain of Medical Biotechnology, Biomedical Science and Engineering, or equivalent.

Occupancy rate: 100%

Vacancy Type: Teaching and research staff (Autonomous Academic Staff), Professorial Staff (ZAP)

About Ghent University and Ghent University Global Campus: Ghent University is one of the most important education and research institutions in the Low Countries. On a daily basis, over 15,000 staff members and 50,000 students implement its motto, "Dare to Think." Ghent University's mission statement is characterized by qualitative education, internationally renowned research, and a pluralistic social responsibility. GUGC is an extended campus of Ghent University in South Korea and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC). Since 2014, GUGC has offered Bachelor of Science programs in Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology. Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the world (ARWU 90, 2024), and Ghent University ranks even higher in the life sciences subjects taught at GUGC. The Biomedical Research Center (RC5) is dedicated to the study of human brain disorders such as mental disorders and neurodegeneration with the aim of delivering knowledge for better diagnosis and treatment.

Assignment: The assignment concerns academic education (in English), academic research and carrying out academic services in the discipline of Biomedical Biotechnology, with special focus on neuroinflammation and neuroimmunology. Academic Education: You deliver lectures across various course units in Molecular Biotechnology and Animal Sciences, serving as both a lecturer-in-charge and a co-lecturer. You are willing to co-lecture courses with other faculty member(s) in the center if necessary. The courses you can contribute to include Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Animal Biology. You play a pivotal role in guiding students' research efforts, including supervising both bachelor's and master's theses and serving as an academic advisor for Ph.D. students. Academic Research: You conduct cutting-edge research at an internationally competitive level within the expansive field of Neuroinflammation, spanning various domains of animal research strongly associated with human brain disorders such as mental disorders and neurodegeneration. You link up with colleagues at the global campus and the home campus of Ghent University in Belgium, as well as with colleagues at Korean universities and research institutes or at international research institutes. Academic Services: In collaboration with colleagues at both the global and home campuses of Ghent University, you actively contribute to the development of the Biomedical Research Center, including securing national and international research funding. Furthermore, you play an integral role in the internal and external services of the Biomedical Research Center and GUGC, involving internal responsibilities, participating in committees and workgroups, and serving as a mentor.

Profile: Experience: You hold a doctoral degree in a relevant subject (Neuroinflammation, Neuroimmunology, or equivalent). You have an excellent academic track record, proven by peer-reviewed publications in proceedings of high-quality conferences and international journals. You are capable of initiating, supervising, and acquiring the necessary funding for academic research, with a demonstrable record in obtaining research funding; attracting Korean research funds will be considered an advantage. You are didactically skilled in teaching university students to develop academic competencies. Skills / Attitude: You possess proficiency in English at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), along with strong academic writing and presentation skills. You have independent research and strong self-learning abilities; a creative and inquisitive attitude is a must. You have strong didactic, communicative, and managerial skills, including people management, as well as a large interest in providing and supporting academic education. You are a team player, open to (interdisciplinary) collaboration within both GUGC and the home campus of Ghent University. You are comfortable with working in an international and multi-cultural environment. You are quality-oriented. Admission requirements: You hold a thesis-based doctorate, or a diploma or degree certificate that is recognized as equivalent. You have at least two years of postdoctoral experience by the start date of your appointment at Ghent University (Global Campus). Language requirements: Each member of the teaching staff must master the language in which you teach a course unit at CEFR level C1.

Selection procedure: After the final application date, all received applications will be sent to the assessment committee. The committee will evaluate the application files and shortlist candidates for further selection (interview, possible presentation or test lecture). The committee will rank the suitable candidates and present this ranking to the GUGC and Faculty Boards for approval.

Appointment information: We offer you a contract as an assistant or associate professor, depending on your previous career and scientific output. We offer an initial full-time appointment with a renewable term, up to a maximum of five years. This is a tenure-track position, with an initial evaluation at the end of the first three years and a final tenure review at the end of the fifth year. The career trajectory follows the same regulations as professorial appointments at Ghent University’s home campus. Although fully employed on the pay-roll of GUGC, the appointment consists of a 90% appointment at GUGC and a 10% appointment at Ghent University home campus.

Compensation and benefits: Salary will be determined in accordance with the Ghent University salary standards. Bonus: a bonus in June (92% of monthly salary) and a bonus in December (100% monthly salary). Transportation and housing, severance, private health insurance, leaves and holidays. For international applicants: visa support and relocation.

How to apply: Application procedure: Professorial staff application form, motivation letter, full resume (CV) including at least 2 references, portfolio including your research plan, vision on research, education, and service, a complete list of your publications, a copy of your Ph.D. and Master's degree certificates, copy of proof of at least two years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher, copy of proof of teaching experience at universities. All required documents must be submitted in English. The documents MUST BE MERGED INTO A SINGLE PDF file and sent to gugcacademichr@UGent.be (subject line: RC5_ZAP_last name.firstname).

More information: For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Dongik Park at Dongik.Park@ghent.ac.kr.